Drive through site success

The new Cowes drive through Covid testing clinic is up and running at the Transit Centre, conducting 478 tests in the first four days.

But it could be a case of use it or lose it!

With Bass Coast Health staffing levels under increasing pressure due to increased demand for vaccinations and testing, the new drive-through site will only operate if there is sufficient demand.

The plan is to operate seven days a week, 9am until 3pm.

On Thursday night last week, Bass Coast Shire staff were working to set up the new facility, erecting the tent and putting traffic barriers in place.

Early on Friday morning, the BCH team arrived on site, preparing for the 9am opening.

Bass Coast Health CEO Jan Child said it was difficult to run the Covid testing clinic through the Urgent Care Centre in winter.

“It’s too unsafe to have people with suspected Covid moving through the Urgent Care Centre,” she said.

Initial response to the new drive through site has been strong, averaging over 100 tests per day.

Bass Coast Health is encouraging islanders to make the most of the new service and urges anyone with symptoms, no matter how mild, to be tested.

Covid symptoms include fever, chills or sweats, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose or loss of sense of smell or taste.

Anyone who has visited a public exposure site should be tested and isolate, and follow the specific advice listed for that exposure site.

A full list of exposure sites is available at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/exposure-sites.

Leaving your home to be tested for COVID-19 or to receive a vaccination are both allowed under the current lockdown restrictions.

Full details of the current restrictions at: www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covidsafe-settings